I’m going to take advantage of my fatigue and eyestrain today to bring Cheap and Cheerful back to its roots — a shortish post about a cool cheap thing to make or do. (A short night’s sleep, the new Laurie R. King, an early doctor’s appointment and a shot are all part of my drowsy mix.) I believe I spotted this idea in Martha Stewart Living a couple of years ago, made it last my own year and should do it again.
I like to plant seeds in containers except for the price of the containers. Even at the tackiest garden center or hardware store they cost way too much money — heck, I could buy a rosebush for the price of three half- gallon plain ole clay pots.And because I’m lazy,I often leave my clay containers to overwinter, and I’m punished by retrieving cracked pots in the spring.Here’s a picture of the Big Red Can that I produced in less than five minutes last year. The nasturtium plant is on it’s way out, but you’ll get the idea.
The planter can be a paint can, a coffee can or a Crisco can. Punch a few holes in the bottom. Find a can of enamel spray paint from your garage — the red paint is the refresher for the front door. If you wanna get crazy with masking tape and stripes, go for it! You can get as artistic as all get out, but in the end, what you have is a cheap, cheerful lightweight planter.
Cheap and Cheerful 
I remember old folks with lots of tin cans full of geraniums on the porch, back when cans had cheerful printing right on them.
I am lucky enough to have a ceramics factory nearby, and twice a year they are open to the public. Prices are absolutely awesome–some of the merchandise is seconds and may have a glazing flaw, but most is first quality.
I have containers all over the garden, and most of them serve more than one purpose. They contain plants, of course, but they also deflect the dog trails (Will you get OUT of there!!), cover bare spots, and they can serve as kind of a slow waterer for perennials. I have several around my hydrangea, for example. She is an old fashioned southern belle, and gets the vapors when the temp goes too high. I pour the water into those containers, and as it leaks thru, it revives the poor hydrangea.
I am stealing this idol next summer. I like old, used looking stuff, so I won’t even mind if the paint flakes a bit.